Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones will be sidelined for Thursday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks due to not passing concussion protocol. Head coach Jonathan Gannon announced Jones’ absence, following an injury he sustained on the last offensive play of the Cardinals’ recent 16-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The injury occurred when Jones had a crucial pass knocked out of his hands on a third-and-9 play, though Gannon only became aware of the issue after his postgame press conference.
Throughout this season, Jones has recorded three catches for 29 yards. Due to the nature of Jones’ absence, the Cardinals listed him as “did not practice” in the estimation reports for both Monday and Tuesday, even though neither the Cardinals nor the Seahawks conducted regular practices on Monday, resorting instead to walk-throughs on Tuesday.
In response to Jones’ absence, Coach Gannon has emphasized team adaptability. He indicated that there will be a collective effort from Arizona’s receiving corps to fill the gap left by Jones. The team’s receiver lineup now includes Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Xavier Weaver, and Simi Fehoko. Confident in their abilities, Gannon stated, “I feel really good. I do. They’ll step in and play well.”
Despite Jones’ limited contributions this season, the Cardinals are optimistic about their ability to adjust and perform effectively against the Seahawks. The upcoming game presents an opportunity for other receivers to step up and demonstrate their prowess on the field.